Vodacom Lesotho, through its Foundation, this week convened a multi-sectoral conference bringing together government officials, civil society and private sector leaders under the theme “From Awareness to Action – Building a Disability-Inclusive World for Sustainable Development.”
The gathering, held in Maseru, highlighted a shared national commitment to transform dialogue on disability inclusion into concrete, measurable progress.
Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities, led the proceedings. In her keynote address, she called for urgent, practical measures to dismantle barriers facing people with disabilities.
She stressed that inclusion must move beyond words to become an integrated part of Lesotho’s national agenda.
“Investing in education, healthcare, and assistive technologies, especially for children with disabilities, is not just a moral duty but a strategic investment in the nation’s socio-economic prosperity,” Queen ‘Masenate said.
Vodacom Lesotho Chief Executive Officer, Mohale Ralebitso, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to fostering an inclusive future.
“Our purpose is unequivocal: we connect Basotho for a better future,” he said, noting that Vodacom’s inclusion efforts extend beyond philanthropy to reflect corporate responsibility and innovation.
At the same occasion, the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Pitso Lesaoana, applauded Vodacom Lesotho for spearheading the initiative and stressed the importance of collaboration across all sectors.
He urged government ministries to fast-track the implementation of disability mainstreaming plans and encouraged more companies to champion inclusion.
On behalf of the Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD), National Director Rabasotho Moeletsi reminded the audience that people with disabilities make up a significant segment of Lesotho’s population.
He commended the adoption of the Persons with Disability Equity Act (2021) and the country’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), but cautioned that social stigma, inaccessible infrastructure, and educational inequalities remain pressing challenges.
Dr Karen Smit, Vodacom Group’s Accessibility leader, shared the company’s regional strategies for advancing accessibility, namely including inclusive product design, workplace representation, and leadership accountability.
The conference ended with a strong call to action: for Lesotho to move decisively from awareness to sustained, inclusive development that ensures dignity, access, and opportunity for all Basotho.
